Lamine Yamal to take over Lionel Messi’s shirt at Barcelona

Lamine Yamal is not 1 to awkward distant from comparisons pinch nan awesome Lionel Messi.

Lamal, who turned 17 connected Saturday, impressed astatine Barcelona past play but emerged to a wider, world assemblage astatine Euro 2024 by playing a cardinal domiciled arsenic Spain won nan tourney for a grounds 4th clip acknowledgment to a 2-1 triumph complete England.

“Lamine, what number do you want this season?”

LY: “19” 👉 pic.twitter.com/wEcFASoNhv

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) July 17, 2024

The teen wore nan number 19 garment for Spain successful Germany and has chosen to deterioration it passim nan 2024-25 play for nan Blaugrana.

He follows successful nan footsteps of immoderate celebrated players to person worn that garment before, including Messi himself.

The Argentina skipper played pinch 19 connected his backmost from 2005 to 2008 earlier taking connected nan number 10 garment he went connected to deterioration pinch specified favoritism for nine and country.

Indeed, it was during his clip arsenic Barca’s number 19 that Messi went connected that now celebrated photoshoot that saw him pictured cradling Lamal arsenic a baby.

Yep, that’s a six-month aged Lamine Yamal pinch a 20-year-old Lionel Messi astatine a photoshoot successful nan Camp Nou.

At slightest now we cognize wherever nan teen gets his powers from 😉🐐#ESPFRA #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ZpHVlElUBO

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) July 9, 2024

The brace could meet again adjacent summertime successful nan Finalissima – nan gathering betwixt European champions Spain and Argentina, who hit Colombia to onshore nan Copa America crown connected Sunday night.